In anticipation of the usual high demand during this time of year, as well as a potential increase as a result of fallout from Sept. 11, Whistler Community Services Society will be doing a food drive throughout November.
"It’s a little earlier for us, we usually wouldn’t start collecting until December, but nobody knows what’s going to happen this year. We don’t want to be caught short," says Janet McDonald, executive director of the WCSS.
The food drive will be conducted outside of Nesters, IGA and The Grocery Store on Nov. 3 and Nov. 24, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. each day. Volunteers will have information on what items are needed at the Food Bank as well as a food donation bin and cash donation jar.
"Cash is good, so if we run low on a staple we can go and buy more to keep the balance," says McDonald.
Throughout the stores, tags will be placed on the items that the food bank requires.
Every food bank recipient gets two or three grocery bags per visit, depending on need. Families get more than individuals. The bags contain a variety of staples and non-perishable items like pasta and peanut butter, and fresh produce is available on pickup days.
Non-perishable donations can also be made at any time at Nesters or IGA drop boxes, and cash donation can be made by calling 604-932-0113.
The Food Bank is open on the first and third Monday of each month, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call the number above for more urgent requirements. The Food Bank is located behind Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, at the bottom of Lorimer Road.
The dinner search (and rescue)
Members of Whistler Search and Rescue will be donning their aprons and chefs hats Nov. 10 at their fund-raising dinner.
But have no fear. You won’t need to be rescued from their efforts as Chef Bernard Casavant will be spearheading the dinner event.
The dinner, which raised $10,000 last year, will be held at the Garibaldi Lift Company, with the venue and staff donated by Intrawest, and will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125.
This year part of the proceeds will go to the New York City, September 11 th , Fire Department Fund.
Enjoy a stunning five-course dinner paired with award winning wines from Murphy-Goode Estate Winery, DeLoach Vineyards, Wente Vineyards, Ironstone Vineyards, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery and Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards, all of which are represented locally by International Cellars Inc.
Winery representatives will be in attendance at the event, which is not part of Cornucopia.
There will also be a silent auction.
Tickets can be ordered by calling 604-932-3434 or 1-604-664-5614.
